Adventurer Mark Beaumont honours Scottish Scouts and volunteers

Kevin McRoberts

Amazing volunteers and exceptional Scouts were celebrated and honoured by adventurer Mark Beaumont at Scouts Scotland’s National Awards Day last weekend.

This year, 120 Scottish Scouts earned their Queen’s Scout Award, the highest youth award in scouting – this is the highest number to achieve this in over a decade.

Another 40 young people also earned their Explorer Belt, which is gained after successfully completing a ten-day expedition in another country.

As well as the awards for the youth membership, the awards day was a chance to highlight the fantastic volunteer work undertaken by adults in scouting, without whom scouting could not take place.

The Silver Wolf is the highest of these awards and is given for services of the most exceptional character.

Only two people in Scotland received the Silver Wolf this year, one being Callum Farquhar, from the 83rd (Cairneyhill) Fife Group.

Callum has been involved in scouting for more than 30 years. In his time as a leader he has helped many of his explorer Scouts to achieve Scottish Qualifications Authority leadership awards and has led an incredible 114 expeditions abroad since arriving in Cairneyhill in 1988, ensuring that hundreds of young people have had the chance to experience other cultures and life changing adventure.

Callum said: “I’m extremely honoured to have received this award.

“I feel incredibly privileged to be part of the scouting movement. Seeing the young members developing and achieving their full potential is the most rewarding part of my role as a volunteer.”

Mark Beaumont said that as an adverturer, it was always exciting to meet with people who have the same passion for the outdoors.

“The young people who have gained their awards this year should be incredibly proud of their achievements,” he said. “It’s great to be honouring the adults who help to make that happen.”

Graham Haddock, Scouts Scotland chief commissioner, added: “Our Annual Awards Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the great achievements of both our adult and youth membership.

“The accomplishments of our young people who have achieved our highest award, the Queen’s Scout Award, is rightly celebrated.

“But equally, the dedication of some our inspirational adults who deliver quality activities and adventures across Scotland is also recognised.

“Scouts Scotland is in its 10th year of continual growth and it is down to the hard work of so many amazing volunteers, like those recognised at the weekend, that we can continue to offer life-changing adventure to young people right across the country.”

A major part of the success of Scouts Scotland is thanks to the 8222 volunteers who help to deliver scouting across the country.

Adult volunteers ensure that nearly 40,000 young people have access to life changing adventure.

Volunteering in Scouting is flexible and there are a variety of opportunities. To sign up to volunteer, check out the {http:// www.scouts.scot|Scouts Scotland website|Click here to visit Scouts Scotland website}.